Eastern Orthodox Christian Evangelism is different

The first and most important thing to remember is that we do not bring anyone
into the Church - its not our job. We do not attract people to the faith, we do
not convince people of the Truth, we don't do any of that. God is the One Who
attracts people, Who brings them in the door, Who convicts their hearts, Who
brings them to repentance, Who convinces them of the Truth; we do none of this.
Too often in the North American model of evangelism, the individual person is
made responsible for doing God's task, but in attempting to do God's work, we
neglect our own. What is our task? Our task is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit
(St Seraphim), our task is the working out of our salvation, our task is to
repent and weep for our sins, our task is to enter the Kingdom of God. This more
than anything else is what we must do. This is an evangelistic task - indeed the
primary evangelistic task.

There are other "tasks", however, which derive from this one which are a bit
more specific to "evangelism". It is God who brings people to the door of the
Church and who convinces them that they should enter - however, we must keep the
door to the Church open and visible. Hence, Orthodox evangelism must center on
the Church - the beauty of the building, the beauty of the services, the
frequency and availability of the services. Orthodox evangelism is served by
beautiful icons, gold onion domes and crosses rising against the sky, the smell
of incense, the pious and holy singing of the services. Orthodox evangelism is
served by our visibility as Orthodox Christians in the world - the clothing of
the clergy (and in these days the modest and humble clothing of the laymen as
well) - the sign of the cross as we pray at each juncture of our lives -
beginning and ending a task, eating and finishing a meal, starting and ending a
trip, etc. Orthodox evangelism is the keeping of icons in our homes, in our
offices, in our cars. Orthodox evangelism is keeping the fast without excuses or
compromises. Orthodox evangelism is setting our priorities to forgo the allures
of the world in order to be at divine services whenever they are held. Orthodox
evangelism is denying ourselves and bearing our cross. Orthodox evangelism is
keeping the door of the Church open and visible. While the Holy Spirit is the one
who draws the world to Himself, it is you and I who keep the doors of the Church
open and who welcome all who come.

The second specific task that we as Orthodox Christians have in evangelism is
the practical expression of God's love to mankind. Orthodox evangelism is
greeting visitors as they come to the Church and then modeling (neither
instructing nor condemning the visitor) for them proper behavior and demeanor in
the Church. Orthodox evangelism is hospitality offered to share meals, to provide
shelter and clothing as needed. Orthodox evangelism is to pray for our neighbor
and to love our neighbor as ourself. Orthodox evangelism is going to the soup
kitchen and serving there - Orthodox evangelism is giving to the poor without
regard for "how the money will be used". Orthodox evangelism is visiting the sick
in hospitals and praying for them. Orthodox evangelism is going the prisons
(contact your local prison chaplain regarding how this might be done) and
offering comfort and kindness to the imprisoned. Orthodox evangelism is loving
your enemies (Elder Silouan of Mt Athos says that this is the true mark of a
Christian - the love of one's enemies). Orthodox Evangelism is loving your
neighbor as yourself. If we all did these things (and I am a wretched sinner and
fall short of all that I have just said) then our Churches would be open and
filled with light and glory drawing all who see her by the grace and action of
the Holy Spirit in their hearts. We don't have to preach on street corners, we
don't have to have "events" or revivals or seminars as evangelistic tools - we
simply have to be Orthodox Christians "to the max" without reservation or
compromise. That is Orthodox evangelism.